Learning and living the tenets of martial arts, as I have mentioned in several blogs to date, improves one physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. However, how does one studying a martial art improve community or society?
In a letter written in 1882 from Sokon “Bushi” Matsumura, one of the original karate masters of Okinawa, to his younger brother, he mentions the “Seven Virtues of the Martial Arts.” He states, “They were taught by wise men, and are contained in a book called the Godan-sho.” The seven virtues mentioned by Master Matsumura are:
(1) It prohibits intentional violence
(2) It rules the actions of the warrior
(3) It edifies
(4) It promotes virtue
(5) It promotes peace among the people
(6) It produces harmony in society
(7) It brings about prosperity
I
have been thinking how and if this applies in today’s modern society and
believe it does. I will share my thoughts on why I believe this by looking at
each of the virtues individually.
(1) It prohibits
intentional violence
As
noted in class and in several blogs, martial arts are intended to be used ONLY for
self-defense when you feel there is no other option. This is still the tenet today, 134 years
after Master Matsumura wrote his letter.
In martial arts violence is never planned but an unintended result of
someone else’s actions.
(2) It rules the
actions of the warrior
As mentioned in several blogs, warriors of the past were
ruled by a code of conduct and this is still the case today. The code of conduct is the principles and
tenets to guide our use of the art form, which is an imperative since the
skills we teach in the Club can cause bodily harm and severe damage. For a more detailed look at the martial arts
code of conduct and how it applies today please refer to my August 2013 blog
entitled, “Martial Arts Code of Conduct” (http://hanmookwan-svl-chiefinstructor.blogspot.com/2013_08_01_archive.html).
(3) It edifies
This
continues to be the true essence of martial arts – to instruct, educate and encourage teachings to improve
one physically,
mentally, emotionally, and spiritually.
(4) It promotes
virtue
As
mentioned under the second virtue, martial arts were built on a code of conduct
which drives a behavior of high moral standards which remains a critical piece
of being a true martial artist. In addition, martial arts provide the training
and skills to act with strength and courage.
(5) It promotes peace
among the people
As noted above, martial arts are to only be used as a last
resort and for self-defense purposes only.
In addition, martial arts teach students to try all means possible to avoid
conflict through awareness, avoidance,
and de-escalation strategies, among other methods therefore promoting
peace.
(6) It produces harmony in society
By promoting the
conduct and demonstrating the behavior of a true martial artist, the community
and society around martial artists will also take on this behavior and tend to
be in more accord and agreement.
(7) It brings about prosperity
Prosperity
or being successful does not necessarily equate to being financially
wealthy. In our Club, we teach to
promote the art form and provide the best instruction possible to all students
so that students can reach their full potential. In reaching their full potential and learning
all there is that martial arts can teach a student, students can become focused,
confident, physically, emotionally and mentally strong. These characteristics
will help student’s succeed and thrive in whatever tasks they take on.
Regards,
Kelly
“To
all those whose progress remains hampered by ego-related distractions, let humility
– the spiritual cornerstone upon which Karate rests – serve to remind one to
place virtue before vice, values before vanity and principles before
personalities.” ~ Sokon ‘Bushi’ Matsumura, (~1797-~1890), one of the original
karate masters of Okinawa
